Millions of people in India suffer from various types of cancer, with lung cancer being a major concern. If lung cancer is not treated in its early stages, it is almost always fatal. It is an extremely deadly cancer. With the rising levels of pollution today, the likelihood of developing lung cancer has increased significantly. Moreover, a recent study has revealed a very shocking finding. According to the study, the northeastern region of the country (Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, etc.) will be the most affected in the next 3-4 years, with a rapid increase in lung cancer cases among women. According to this new study, the burden of lung cancer in India is projected to increase rapidly by 2030. This study was published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research.

According to a report published in TOI, data from 57 populations across six regions show that the incidence of lung cancer is highest in the Northeast, where the rate among women is now approaching that of men. This is extremely surprising, as pollution levels in the northeastern states are negligible. These are very clean, hilly areas, so the increase in lung cancer cases there represents an unusual pattern for India. According to the study, Aizawl recorded the highest number of cases, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 35.9 per lakh for men and 33.7 per lakh for women, and also the highest mortality rate.

The main reason for lung cancer in the northeastern region
According to the study, high tobacco consumption is the main reason for the increased risk of lung cancer in the northeastern regions. Approximately 68% of men and 54% of women in this region consume tobacco. In an interview with TOI, Dr. Saurabh Mittal of the Department of Pulmonology at AIIMS said that the nature of the disease is changing. More cases of lung cancer are being reported among women who do not smoke. This is attributed to indoor air pollution, the use of biomass fuels, and secondhand smoke.

This shift is also reflected in the tumor patterns across the country. Squamous-cell carcinoma, which is linked to smoking, is no longer the dominant subtype; it has been replaced by adenocarcinoma. In Bengaluru, this is now found in more than half of lung cancer cases in women, while Delhi has seen a rapid increase in cases of large-cell carcinoma.

In southern districts like Kannur, Kasaragod, and Kollam, more cases were recorded among men despite relatively low tobacco and alcohol consumption. This suggests that factors other than tobacco are also contributing to lung cancer. Meanwhile, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in South India recorded the highest number of cases among women. Srinagar showed a high rate of lung cancer among men, while women in Srinagar and Pulwama also recorded a high number of cases despite low substance abuse.

Trend Analysis Reveals Key Findings
Trend analysis shows that in some regions, the incidence of lung cancer is increasing annually by up to 6.7% in women and 4.3% in men. The fastest increase in women was recorded in Thiruvananthapuram, while Dindigul saw the highest increase among men. Researchers say that despite tobacco use among women remaining below 10% nationwide, the main causes of lung cancer could be deteriorating indoor air quality, household exposure, and secondhand smoke. According to researchers, it is estimated that by 2030, the lung cancer rate in some parts of Kerala could exceed 33 per lakh among men, while in Bengaluru, it could reach over 8 per lakh among women.

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